Dropshipping has gotten a lot of attention, especially because of the “I want it now” generation. But is it really worth it? Is dropshipping a viable business model?
At first glance, dropshipping sounds like the perfect way to start your own business. Check out everything from a manufacturer or wholesaler, drop it off with shipment service, and you’re ready to start selling! However, there are some conditions that you should be aware of before you start.
What is Dropshipping, and How Does It Work?
Dropshipping is a business strategy used by online merchants to sell products without maintaining any inventory. A store owner contacts the supplier after receiving an order from a customer, and the supplier will send the products to the customers.
A low-risk option to launch an online business is through dropshipping. If you’re looking for a way to make money online, dropshipping is definitely worth considering.
The Pros and Cons of Dropshipping
Pros
1. Start Your Own Business With Little Up-Front Investment
Starting a business can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need bags of money to start. This means you can start making money from home even if you’re just starting out with very little startup money.Â
2. No Store Inventory Needed
Dropshipping doesn’t require any inventory for you to buy or store yourself. Instead, when someone orders a product from your store, you can purchase the item for them at another online retailer that sells the product at a lower price than what you charge. Then, you have that online retailer ship the item directly to the customer. This is super tedious but has proven to work.
Creating your own relationship with manufacturers and brands is ideal. There are hundreds available to start reselling for.Â
3. Lots of Resources
Many dropshipping companies can offer products and inventory at a reasonable price. You don’t have to worry about searching for the right supplier or stocking your store with products. You only need to find a supplier who offers the products you want to sell and then let them ship directly to your customers.
4. It’s Easy to Set up a Dropshipping Store
You only need a website and some digital marketing skills, which can be learned quickly by following tutorials online or on Youtube. As you level up, so should your skills. Keep investing back into courses, training, and masterminds with other higher-level people. Go to events. Meet the people moving and shaking. Conversations at events can literally change your life.Â
5. Work Anywhere, Anytime
Dropshipping might be the answer if you’re looking for a way to run your business from anywhere in the world. This is a huge advantage if you want to work online to make some extra money on the side without having to commit to full-time hours.
Cons
1. Low Margins
Because dropshipping is selling products at a wholesale price, they are making very little profit on each sale. This can be a problem if you have high overhead costs especially when testing ads.Â
2. No Control Over Inventory
If the supplier runs out of stock, you can’t do anything about it. The only way to avoid this is to keep an eye on your inventory levels and ensure you have enough for demand. Establishing a clear line of communication with your supplier is vital. If overseas, ask for a WeChat or skype of your contact.
3. Challenging Customer Service
Since the supplier is technically not your customer, you’re responsible for all customer service inquiries and complaints. This can be challenging if the supplier doesn’t offer good support or lacks communication with the customers.
4. Limited Branding Opportunities
Your store might look exactly like every other store that’s using the same supplier. To stand out, you’ll have to keep up on your own and operate your branding and marketing strategy. Always try to get the product in hand somehow and take your own pictures/videos. We have even gone out to local stores to find a product just for creating video ads.Â
Overall, Is Dropshipping Worth It?
It depends on your situation, but the pros outweigh the cons for most people.
Dropshipping can be a fantastic way to get started and launch a business off the ground—but it’s not suitable for everyone. If you’re just starting or you’re looking to expand an existing business that’s already doing well, dropshipping may be what you need to grow faster and make more money.
How Much Money Can You Make With Dropshipping?
Dropship stores typically have a gross margin of 20-40%, which means that for every $100 in sales, the Dropshipper will make $20-$40 in profit. So, if you can generate $5,000 in sales per month, you can expect to make $1,000-$2,000 in profit.
Conclusion
Dropshipping is not a get-rich-quick scheme – it takes hard work and dedication to build a successful store. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, dropshipping can be a great way to make a lot of profit.
Need Help With Your Dropshipping Business?
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